daily hope
Pain as Part of the Plan
10 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: John 16:33b (recording quotes NLT). The linked Bible reader uses the World English Bible.
Meditation transcript
Transcript of the recording. Scripture translation labels describe the translation quoted in the audio.
0:00One of the hardest truths of life is that it's designed to have pain and struggle.
0:08Pain isn't a defect in the plan, it's part of the plan.
0:16The price of love is loss.
0:21And while that isn't necessarily comforting, your troubles are not a surprise to God.
0:30He knows them and He feels them.
0:36Today, rest in the knowledge that God loves you and He's with you, even in your pain.
0:49Okay, let's get started by allowing the body to relax.
1:00And when you're ready, let your eyes close like the sun sets.
1:10Now take a moment to consider this verse: Here on Earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart because I have overcome the world.
1:34And again: Here on Earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart because I have overcome the world.
2:00Gradually, and with ease, bring your awareness to rest on your breath.
2:14Feel the body rise with each inhale, and then allow your awareness to rest in a little more with each exhale.
2:38Notice how with each breath, the body feels a little calmer.
2:55Begin to notice the space around the body.
3:06Feel the contact of the body on the chair, and your feet on the floor.
3:20When you feel comfortable, begin to scan the entire body to build up a picture of what the body feels like.
3:34Piece by piece, release any areas of tension.
3:44Let go of your stress, let go of your anxiety.
3:53You are exactly where you're meant to be.
4:06Allow that natural rhythm of the breath to relax you.
4:23Let your breath guide you to a place of safety in the presence of God.
4:42You are accepted here.
4:45You are loved.
5:00With ease, bring your attention to the breath.
5:13Take a few nice, deep breaths.
5:22Make them feel easy and effortless.
5:39Feel life enter your body as you breathe in, and then release your tension as you breathe out.
6:05Inhale.
6:07Feel how the body expands.
6:12Then slowly exhale, feeling the body fall.
6:33Feel the air as it travels in through the nose, and follow the air back out through the mouth.
6:53Allow each breath to soften the chest and relax the shoulders.
7:11Begin to scan the body from the head to the toe, relaxing the body piece by piece.
7:36There's no way to do this wrong.
7:50And now, for a few moments, allow your mind to do what it wants to do.
8:04If it wants to think, then let it think.
8:10And if it wants to rest, then let it rest.
8:30Take this verse with you: Here on Earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart because I have overcome the world.
8:56When you feel ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the breath and allow your eyes to open.
9:08Take a few deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.
9:18Notice how you feel.
9:24I hope you feel a little more relaxed.
9:28We'll see you again tomorrow with hope, mindfulness, and prayer.